09/11 - Extreme Premiums: Louisiana Property Insurance Rates

Why are our rates so high?

Louisiana homeowners face the third highest insurance rates in the country. Louisiana drivers pay the second highest auto insurance premiums in the nation. Why are our rates so high and what, if anything, can be done to reduce them? Explore “Extreme Premiums: Louisiana Insurance Rates” on Louisiana Public Square, Wednesday, September 28th at 7 p.m.

This program was also funded in part by the Louisiana Forestry Association

We want to know your opinion! Leave your comments in the box below.

I moved here from Texas and my auto insurance is more than double and home insurance is triple what I pay for the same things in Texas

Posted by Tim B. on 09/09 at 03:04 PM

I moved from Tallahassee, Florida to Baton Rouge in 1992 to assume a position at LSU. I was shocked to find that my auto insurance costs tripled; same drivers, same automobiles, same coverage, but three times the premium. I called my insurer, USAA, and was told that, 1) we had 15 year old drivers who had a higher overall accident rate (this has since changed), and 2) everybody sues.

People treat an auto accident as a means of supplemental income, start legal action thus driving up insurance costs. Florida has a no-fault insurance system whereby the insurance company insures you as their individual client in the case of an accident, and pays you for damages to your auto, not the other party. Given the number of hit-and-run accidents occurring recently in Baton Rouge, no-fault makes the most sense. Careful drivers would have lower premiums and be assured that damage and medical costs would be covered.

To me this is not a trivial issue as I am facing retirement and will be living on a greatly reduced income. By moving back to Florida my insurance costs would be reduced by two-thirds and I would not have to pay a state income tax. This is an issue that Louisiana State legislators must take seriously.

Posted by Paul L. on 09/09 at 03:05 PM

I am a homeowner in Monroe. In my zone, I HAVE to buy flood insurance. I know I may need it one day. I would hate to need it and not have it. I pay full coverage for my auto and have since it was new. Also, I want to have coverage in case something would happen. I know we pay almost the highest insurance on autos in the states. It should make a difference if one has not called on the insurance that it could be discounted some.

Posted by Sara on 09/09 at 03:07 PM

It just seems of little common sense to keep paying higher and higher rates for car insurance. My record is unblemished but I still pay a large amount in order to raise my limits a little. The public should have an opt-out option if their driving record is clean.

Posted by Alex on 09/09 at 03:09 PM

I participated in the Louisiana Public Square “Extreme Premiums” program and I want to tell you how impressed I was and what a great experience it was for me. It was exactly what I have come to expect from LPB - a great staff with great attitudes and charming personalities, the process was perfectly choreographed and executed, and a comfortable and warm environment. I enjoyed meeting the other participants, learning of their insurance experiences, and their suggestions for improvement. The panelists were top notch and I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Page and Dr. Berry after the show….Lastly, Mr. Scott was an excellent host and it was a pleasure meeting him.

Posted by Michael DeCaire on 09/28 at 04:01 PM

I moved to Baton Rouge from Tallahassee, FL in 1992 to accept a position at LSU. My auto insurance tripled even though I had the same cars and the same drivers as in Florida. I asked my insurance co. (USAA which I have had for 49 years) why the huge increase and was told, 1) we had 15 year old drivers (this is no longer the case) and 2) everyone brings legal action. Florida has no-fault insurance which cuts premiums and rewards good drivers. A number of years ago a similar no-fault proposition was presented to the legislature here and was dead-on-arrival. For me, facing retirement, this is not a trivial issue as it seems it would be better for me to return to Florida than stay here. Also Florida has no state income tax.

Posted by Paul LaRock on 09/28 at 04:03 PM

Each second of each day thousands of autos enter and leave the state of LA. The state pretends that everyone will be perfectly protected by liability insurance from another person, yet for a single second the state can not tell one they are protected. It is time for No fault where one protects themself. No it does not mean that one can ram a car into some one, back up and repeatedly do it again. The criminal portion of our justice system kicks in. This will start to reduce our costs of insurance. Then there needs to be comprehensive monitoring of claimants of high dollar amounts. Claim payments should not be in single agreement but subject to occasional judicial review.. That way one does not throw away the wheel chair at the end of the court judgement. These are realistic changes that need to be made.

Posted by remi delouche on 09/29 at 09:43 AM

I think the number of hit-and-run accidents occurring recently in Baton Rouge, no-fault makes the most sense.

Posted by peterson on 10/20 at 07:16 AM

I participated in the Louisiana Public Square “Extreme Premiums” program and I want to tell you how impressed I was and what a great experience it was for me. It was exactly what I have come to expect from LPB - a great staff with great attitudes and charming personalities, the process was perfectly choreographed and executed, and a comfortable and warm environment. I enjoyed meeting the other participants, learning of their insurance experiences, and their suggestions for improvement. The panelists were top notch and I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Page and Dr. Berry after the show….Lastly, Mr. Scott was an excellent host and it was a pleasure meeting him.